If you were skeptical about Joel Embiid actually making his NBA debut during the preseason or at the start of the regular season, we don’t blame you.
Foot surgeries kept Embiid out of action through the first two years of his career. The Philadelphia 76ers, as a result, have been reluctant to commit to much of anything when it comes to him. They say he’s progressing, yet wouldn’t let him suit up during the summer league. Embiid is supposed to start playing during the preseason, but you have your doubts, if only because bad luck has followed him since the end of his days at Kansas.
Well, Brett Brown has some good news, per 97.5 The Fanatic:
“Embiid is well and truly on track, there are no red flags anywhere. None of us should be afraid right now, we’re very proud of him” -Brett
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) August 22, 2016
This is actually happening. Embiid actually seems like he is going to play. And it actually seems like that’s going to be soon.
The reaction to his first-ever NBA touch is bound to be electric in Philadelphia. Fans will probably go nuts even after the preseason, when he begins the regular campaign on the court, an inaugural moment that’s now been years in the making.
What’s not yet clear, though, is how Embiid will be used. The Sixers have two other bigs in Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel who will command minutes, and Embiid may be on a superficial minutes cap. Like, the Sixers aren’t going to just throw him out on the hardwood for 25 to 30 minutes per game. This is still very much a process. If he clears 15 minutes per night, it’ll be a pleasant surprise.
Don’t let this curtail your enthusiasm, Sixers fans. You’ve been waiting for this. You’ve earned it. Embiid is healthy and ready to contribute in some capacity. And whatever that capacity, just be happy he’s ready to contribute at all.
